Portable beach pillow

ABSTRACT

In at least one embodiment, the present invention pertains to a portable beach pillow, comprising, a pillow-body, the pillow-body defining at least one cavity. A foldable truss-arm, a detachable base plate, the base plate demountably coupled with said truss-arm; and a carrying strap, the carrying strap demountably fastened to said pillow body. The wherein the said at least one magnetic clamp is adapted to couple with at least one accessory a one end of the foldable truss-arm. One of the accessories being a sun-shade visor or a fan. All of the elements of the portable beach pillow are stored within the pillow body for easy carry and protection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the art of beach pillows and tanningprevention devices.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Each year, more new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. thannew cases of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer combined. One infive Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. One Americandies from skin cancer every hour. Unprotected exposure to UV radiationis the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.

Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is now one of the mostcommon cancers among adolescents and young adults ages 15-29. Whilemelanoma accounts for about three percent of skin cancer cases, itcauses more than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths.

Other UV-related skin disorders include actinic keratoses and prematureaging of the skin. Actinic keratoses are skin growths that occur on bodyareas exposed to the sun. The face, and the “V” of the neck areespecially susceptible to this type of lesion.

Specially in the face area, exposure to the sun also causes prematureaging, which over time can make the skin become thick, wrinkled, andleathery. Since it occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many yearsafter a person's sun exposure. Up to 90 percent of the visible skinchanges commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. With properprotection from UV radiation, most premature aging of the skin can beavoided.

Problems exist in traditional shades, visors or beach accessories, thatif they cover the entire face it does not allow to see anything throughand enjoy the beach view. So beach-goers are thorn between usingsunglasses and protecting the eyes but not protecting the face, or usinga shade but not seeing anything.

Protection for the eyes is specially important. Other kinds of eyedamage include pterygium (tissue growth that can block vision), skincancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (the part of theretina where visual perception is most acute). All of these problems canbe lessened with proper eye protection.

One of the main issues is that most people enjoy the beach and sun, butdo not want to have the face burned. Sunglasses alone does not protectthe face.

There is a need in the industry to create a portable beach pillow thatincorporates a clear visor and protects the face against the damaging UVrays at the same time.

There is a further need for the beach pillow to be compact so it doesnot require mayor assembly and that it holds itself while sunbathing.Also, the possibility of adding accessories if necessary such as fan,books, magazines or an electronic reading device while on the beach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For illustrating the invention, the figures areshown in the embodiments that are presently preferred. It should beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the portable beach pillow.

FIG. 2 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the sun-shade visor.

FIG. 3 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely across-section view of the sun-shade visor.

FIG. 4 depict at least one embodiment of the invention, namely aside-angular view of a magazine held by the demountable couplingelement.

FIG. 5 depict at least one embodiment of the invention, namely aside-angular view of a book held by the demountable coupling element.

FIG. 6 depict at least one embodiment of the invention, namely aside-angular view of how the sun-shade visor is removed.

FIG. 7 depict at least one embodiment of the invention, namely aside-angular view of how the sun-shade visor is attached.

FIG. 8 depict at least one embodiment of the invention, namely aside-angular view of how the sun-shade visor is held in place withmagnetic element.

FIG. 9 depict at least one embodiment of the invention, namely aside-angular view of how the sun-shade visor is attracted and attachedwith magnetic element.

FIG. 10 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of portable beach pillow and how it is used on thebeach.

FIG. 11 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of portable beach pillow and how it is used on thebeach.

FIG. 12 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of portable beach pillow and how a fan is attached.

FIG. 13 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of portable beach pillow and how the foldable trussarm disassembles.

FIG. 14 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of portable beach pillow and how the sun-shade visordisassembles.

FIG. 15 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the portable beach pillow on the beach.

FIG. 16 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the portable beach pillow and how it is assembled.

FIG. 17 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the portable beach pillow and how it is assembledin the inner cavities.

FIG. 18 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the portable beach pillow and how the base plateraises the viewing angle of the pillow.

FIG. 19 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the base plate is folded together.

FIG. 20 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the base plate is levered up using the base arm,the base hinge and the base slots.

FIG. 21 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention, namely afront-angular view of the base plate is levered at a lower angle usingthe base arm, the base hinge and the base slots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention depicts an inventive solution to theaforementioned issues related to beach-pillows and sun-shades.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and otherscientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have themeanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understoodmeanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, andthe inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily beconstrued to represent a substantial difference over what is generallyunderstood in the art. Many of the techniques and procedures described,or referenced herein, are well understood and commonly employed usingconventional methodology by those skilled in the art.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionallybe present other than the elements specifically identified by the“and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elementsspecifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus,as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term“demountably disposed” or “demountably coupled” refers to the placementof two faces wherein the two elements can be removed and placed togetherwith little effort many times. As a matter of example and in no means tobe used as a limit to the words “demountably disposed” comprises the useof; threads, loop and hooks, double sided tapes, adhesives, magnetics,VELCRO or any combination thereof.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “Interiorly”means partially or fully situated within or inside; relating to theinside or inner compartments of a body.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention pertains to a portablebeach pillow, comprising, a pillow-body, the pillow-body defining atleast one cavity. A foldable truss-arm, a detachable base plate, thebase plate demountably coupled with said truss-arm; and a carryingstrap, the carrying strap demountably fastened to said pillow body. Thewherein the said at least one magnetic clamp is adapted to couple withat least one accessory a one end of the foldable truss-arm. One of theaccessories being a sun-shade visor or a fan. All of the elements of theportable beach pillow are stored within the pillow body for easy carryand protection.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, an adjustable pillow is shownin FIG. 1. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, theinvention pertains to a portable beach pillow 100 comprising, a pillowbody 102, at least one cavity 103 or 104 located interiorly of thepillow body 102. A detachable base plate 105, a carrying strap 101. Thewhole assembly is designed to be used on the sand 106.

In one alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2 oneof the accessories to be used with the portable beach pillow 100 is asun-shade visor 201 that is demountably coupled to foldable truss-arm202. The said sun-shade visor, further comprises at least one reflectivecoating 301 and 302. The sun-shade visor was made out of polycarbonate.Other translucent materials such as glass, plexiglass sheets, acrylic,styrene, Lexan, acrylic mirror, Sintra, Expanded PVC, PETG, and Styrenecan be used of for the same function, in the same way to accomplish thesame result. The coatings used on the sun-shade visor comprise;antireflective coating, polarizing film, scratch resistant coating,mirror coating. The sun-shade visor comprise the following embodiments;tinted, polarized, photochromic, mirrored. Other embodiments of thesun-shade visor comprise:

Tinted—The color of the tint determines the parts of the light spectrumthat are absorbed by the lenses. Manufacturers use different colors toproduce specific results.

Polarized—Polarized filters are most commonly made of a chemical filmapplied to a transparent plastic or glass surface. The chemical compoundused will typically be composed of molecules that naturally align inparallel relation to one another. When applied uniformly to the lens,the molecules create a microscopic filter that absorbs any lightmatching their alignment.

Photochromic—Sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses that darken whenexposed to the sun are called photochromic, or sometimes photochromatic.Photochromic lenses rely on a specific chemical reaction to UVradiation.

Mirrored—The lenses in these glasses have a reflective coating appliedin a very thin, sparse layer—so thin that it's called a half-silveredsurface. The name half-silvered comes from the fact that the reflectivemolecules coat the glass so sparsely that only about half the moleculesneeded to make the glass an opaque mirror are applied.

In one embodiment of the invention, the portable pillow body 201 is madeout of Linear low density Polyethylene. Polyethylene is classified intoseveral different categories based mostly on its density and branching.This material was chosen because it allows for the pillow body to becomfortable and at the same time water resistant. The pores inside thepolymer foam does not allow sand to and moisture to inter inside of thepillow body.

The following Polyethylene materials can be used for the same purpose toaccomplish the same result. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE), Ultra low molecular weight polyethylene (ULMWPE or PE-WAX),High molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), High density polyethylene(HDPE), High density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE), Cross-linkedpolyethylene (PEX or XLPE), Medium density polyethylene (MDPE), Linearlow density polyethylene (LLDPE), Low density polyethylene (LDPE), andVery low density polyethylene (VLDPE).

In yet another embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIG. 4, andFIG. 5, the sun-shade visor 201 can be used along with a magazine 401 bydemountably coupling it with demountable coupling element 403. The clamp105 is adapted to receive both the sun-shade visor 201 and at magazines401 or book 501. The demountable coupling element 403 is the connectionto the foldable truss-arm 202. Many other accessories could bedemountably coupled with demountable coupling element 403.

In one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, themechanical clamp 105 at one of the foldable truss-arm 202, allows forthe easy attachment and release of the visor 201. The clamp used in theembodiment herein was made out of stainless steel. Stainless steel waschosen because of the non-corrosive properties. Other materials that canbe used for the same purpose to accomplish the same result include;aluminum, and carbon-fiber composites.

In yet another embodiment of the demountable coupling element 403 of theinvention as depicted in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is a magnetic clamp 801 onone of the ends of foldable truss-arm 202. This is an ingenious way foreasy attachment of the accessories to the foldable truss-arm 202. Themagnetic demountable coupling element 901 comprises two parts. Amagnetic part 801 and a metallic part 901. The magnets magnetic part 801is selected form the group consisting of; Alnico Magnets and alloys,Rare earth magnets, Ceramic magnets (ferrite), bonded magnets andflexible magnets. As shown in FIG. 9, the sun-shade visor 201 can easilyslide and lock into place.

FIG. 10, depicts how the invention is used. Here, the harmful rays ofthe sun 1001, are blocked by sun-shade visor 201. Both the face and theeyes are blocked from the sun, thereby solving the previously issuespresented. The comfortable pillow body 102 rests on the sand 106. Herein the sun-shade visor 201, the magnetic coupling element 403, thefoldable truss-arm 202 is held in place by the weight of the head on theplate 105.

FIG. 11 shows how the invention ingeniously moves in three degrees offreedom. Here, the invention uses the ball joints 203 to move around theface to cover it or not to cover it. By doing this, you can see aroundyou and at the same time your face is covered from the damaging rays ofthe sun.

FIG. 11 depicts at least one embodiment of the invention. A portablebeach pillow 100, comprising; a pillow-body 102, said pillow-body 102defining at least one cavity 103, at least one foldable truss-arm 202,said at least one foldable truss-arm 202. At least one ball joint 203,at least one mechanical buckle-clip 1302 at a first end, and at leastone demountable coupling element 801 at a second end. A detachable baseplate 105, said detachable base plate demountably coupled with saidmechanical buckle-clip 1302 at said first end; and a carrying strap 101,said carrying strap 101 demountably fastened to said pillow body.Wherein the said at least one demountable coupling element 801 isadapted to couple with at least one accessory 201.

Here, the at least one accessory 201 is a sun-shade visor, saidsun-shade visor 201 demountably coupled with said foldable truss-arm bysaid demountable coupling element 801. The sun-shade visor 201 whereinthe said foldable demountable coupling element is magnetic. Thesun-shade 201 wherein the said sun-shade visor, further comprises atleast one reflective coating. Also the portable beach pillow 100detachable base pate is used as a base to hold said foldable truss-arm202 and said accessory 201 by the weight of a person's head.

FIG. 12, in one embodiment of the invention, one of the accessory is afan 1201. The fan 1201 is dismountable coupled with demountable couplingelement 403 which in this embodiment is a magnetic coupling 801. Thesame magnetic coupling 801 that is used to couple the sun-shade visor201 will couple the fan 1201. Here the fan is powered by an internalbattery or a sun-powered solar cell. The foldable truss-arm 202 is heldin place by the weight of the head on the detachable base plate 105 onthe sand 106. The carrying strap 101 will also serve to stabilize thebeach pillow 100.

FIG. 13 depicts how the foldable truss-arm 202, is demountable coupledto the detachable base plate 105, by mechanical buckle-clip 1302 and1303 respectively. Here the pillow-body 102 defines cavity 103 andcavity 104. FIG. 13 also depicts how at least one demountable coupling403 is a magnetic clip 801 adapted to couple with at least oneaccessory. This figure also depicts how the carrying strap 101 can beadjusted using a buckle.

In one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 depicts how atleast one demountable coupling 403 is a mechanical buckle clip 1401 andthe sun-shade visor 201 is ingeniously used as the female clip 1402. Thesun-shade visor 201 can be easily “clicked” or demountably coupled inand out of the buckle clip 1401. This makes it very easy to take apart.This is also a good alternative and more economical way to manufacturethan the magnetic clip above. The foldable truss-arm 202 comprises afirst end 1101 and a second end 1102, wherein said foldable truss-arm202 further comprises a mechanical buckle-clip 1401 at said first end,and another mechanical buckle-clip 1302 said second end. As analternative embodiment one of the ends can use a magnetic clamp such as801.

FIG. 16 depicts how the portable pillow 100 is ingeniously assembled forportability. Here, the foldable truss-arm 202 and at least one accessory201 is stored within said pillow body 102 inside said at least onecavity 104. A pillow body 102 with a first end 1601 and a second end1602 at least one cavity 104 is located interiorly of said pillow body102. The carrying strap 101, extends from the first end 1601 to thesecond end 1602 of said pillow body. Here, as an embodiment of theinvention the foldable truss-arm 202 comprises two mechanicalbuckle-clips 1401 and 1302.

FIG. 17 depicts how the portable beach pillow 100 is assembled formobility. It comprises: a pillow body 102 with a first end 1601 and asecond end 1602, at least one cavity 104, and 202 located interiorly ofsaid pillow body 102. A detachable base plate 105, wherein said plate105 is located exteriorly of said pillow body 102. A carrying strap 101,wherein said carrying strap 101 extends from at least the first end 1601to at least the second end 1602 of said pillow body 102. In analternative embodiment, a pillow-casing, wherein the pillow casingcovers said pillow body exteriorly.

A foldable truss-arm 202 with a first end 1101 and a second end 1102,wherein said foldable truss-arm 202 further comprises a mechanicalbuckle-clip 1302 at said first end 1101, and a magnetic-clamp 801 atsaid second end 1102. The mechanical buckle-clip 1302 is adapted todemountably couple with said base plate 105, and said magnetic clamp 801is adapted to demountably couple with at least one accessory 201. Thedetachable base plate 105 is located exteriorly of said pillow body 102.

In FIG. 18, and FIG. 19, are views of one of the embodiments of theinvention. Detachable base plate 105, comprises a base platform 1801, abuckle clip 1303 and at least one base hinge 1803 and 2002. The baseplatform 1801 further comprising at least one base slot 1804. Whereinbase hinge 1803 hinges the detachable base plate 105 in an upwarddirection 1803, and 2002 hinges the base arm 1802 on a first end.Wherein the base arm 1802 demountably couples 2001 to at least one baseslot 1804 on a second end.

In FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, are views of one of the embodiments of theinvention. It depicts how the Detachable base plate 105 and base hinge1803 allows the base plate 105 in an upward direction 1803 in order todemountably couple buckle clip 1303 and elevate the portable beachpillow 100 to a higher viewing angle. The multiple base slots 1804arranged in an array pattern on the base platform 1801 in order todemountably couple to at least one base slot 1804 on the base arm 1802to hinge with 2002 the base plate 105 into a preferred position.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims.The Abstract section may set forth one or more but not all exemplaryembodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s),and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and theappended claims in any way.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functionalbuilding blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenienceof the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but shouldbe defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

We claim:
 1. A portable beach pillow, comprising: a pillow-body, saidpillow-body defining at least one cavity; at least one foldabletruss-arm, said at least one foldable truss-arm comprising; at least oneball joint, at least one mechanical buckle-clip at a first end, and atleast one demountable coupling element at a second end; a detachablebase plate, said detachable base plate demountably coupled with saidmechanical buckle-clip at said first end; and a carrying strap, saidcarrying strap demountably fastened to said pillow body; wherein thesaid at least one demountable coupling element is adapted to couple withat least one accessory.
 2. The portable beach pillow of claim 1, whereinthe at least one accessory is a sun-shade visor, said sun-shade visordemountably coupled with said foldable truss-arm by said demountablecoupling element.
 3. The sun-shade visor of claim 2, wherein the saidfoldable demountable coupling element is magnetic.
 4. The sun-shadevisor of claim 2, wherein the said sun-shade visor, further comprises atleast one reflective coating.
 5. The portable beach pillow of claim 1,wherein the at least one accessory is a fan, said fan demountablycoupled with said foldable truss-arm by said magnetic clamp.
 6. Theportable beach pillow of claim 1, wherein said detachable base pate isused as a base to hold said foldable truss-arm and said accessory by theweight of a person's head.
 7. The portable beach pillow of claim 1,wherein the detachable base plate further comprises, a base platform, atleast one base hinge, a base arm and at least one base slot.
 8. Theportable beach pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least one accessory andsaid foldable truss-arm are stored internally within said portablepillow in said at least one cavity.
 9. A portable beach pillow,comprising: a pillow body with a first end and a second end; at leastone cavity is located interiorly of said pillow body; a detachable baseplate, wherein said plate is located exteriorly of said pillow body; apillow-casing, wherein the pillow casing covers said pillow bodyexteriorly; a carrying strap, wherein said carrying strap extends fromat least the first end to at least the second end of said pillow body;and a foldable truss-arm with a first end and a second end, wherein saidfoldable truss-arm further comprises a mechanical buckle-clip at saidfirst end, and a magnetic-clamp at said second end; wherein saidmechanical buckle-clip is adapted to demountably couple with said baseplate, and said magnetic clamp is adapted to demountably couple with atleast one accessory.
 10. The portable beach pillow of claim 9, whereinsaid foldable truss-arm and said at least one accessory is stored withinsaid pillow body inside said at least one cavity.
 11. The portable beachpillow of claim 9, wherein the at least one accessory is a sun-shadevisor, said sun-shade visor demountably coupled with said foldabletruss-arm by said magnetic clamp.
 12. The sun-shade visor of claim 11,wherein the said foldable truss-arm, further comprises a mechanicalclamp, said mechanical clamp adapted to receive a magazine or book. 13.The sun-shade visor of claim 11, wherein the said sun-shade visor,further comprises at least one reflective coating.
 14. The portablebeach pillow of claim 9, wherein the at least one accessory is a fan,said fan demountably coupled with said foldable truss-arm by saidmagnetic clamp.
 15. The portable beach pillow of claim 9, wherein saiddetachable base is used as a base to hold said foldable truss-arm andsaid accessory by the weight of a person's head.
 16. A portable beachpillow comprising: a base plate to hold at least one foldable truss-arm,said foldable truss arm further comprising a magnetic clamp and amechanical buckle-clip, said mechanical buckle-clip adapted todemountably couple with said base plate; and a sun-shade visor adaptedto demountably couple with said foldable truss-arm at said magneticclamp; wherein the weight of a persons head on said base plate holds thefoldable truss-arm plus said at least one sun-shade visor, and saidsun-shade visor and said foldable truss-arm is stored interiorly of saidportable beach pillow.
 17. The sun-shade visor of claim 16, wherein thesaid sun-shade visor, further comprises at least one reflective coating.18. The portable beach pillow of claim 16, wherein a fan is demountablycoupled with said foldable truss-arm by said magnetic clamp.
 19. Theportable beach pillow of claim 16, wherein the portable beach pillowfurther comprises; a pillow-casing, said pillow-casing covers the pillowbody exteriorly.
 20. The portable beach pillow of claim 16, wherein thedetachable base plate further comprises, a base platform, at least onebase hinge, a base arm and a plurally base slots.